However, that fight still looks a long way off and a mandatory defence of his IBF crown – that he won after stopping Lucian Bute – has now been ordered.

Challenger: George Groves knocked out Noe Gonzalez on the undercard at the O2 (Picture: Getty Images)

If the Cobra opts not to take the fight with fellow Englishman Groves he faces being stripped of the title.

‘Adonis Stevenson was the mandatory but got tired of waiting for the opportunity to fight Froch and moved up to light-heavyweight to box for the WBC title,’ IBF championship chairman Lindsey Tucker told the Sun.

‘Under the rules, when that happens we go down the list to see who is next. We got down as far as Groves and he has been made our mandatory challenger for Froch.

‘We have sent letters to both fighters, dated June 10, and asked them to start negotiations for a mandatory defence.

Warriors: Froch and Kessler go toe-to-toe (Picture: Getty Images)

‘The boxers will have until July 12 to come to an agreement. If they can’t, we will then call for a purse bid.

‘The successful bidder would be notified by July 24 and we would expect the fight to take place 90 days later, which would take us to the middle of October.’

A fight with Groves would have an added edge as Froch was infuriated by his countryman’s decision to spar with Kessler ahead of their bout at the o2.